PHH1102 - Biological bases of health and disease 2 - 2018

The fundamental concepts introduced previously in 'Biological Bases of Health and Disease 1' will be developed further with a particular focus on health and disease across the life span and communicable disease. The unit covers the biological and microbial determinants of diseases that are common global causes of death and disability. Case studies will provide the opportunity for students to develop critical reasoning skills, self-learning and literacy skills necessary for understanding the biological bases of health and disease.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Identify the biological factors that determine maternal and child health outcomes;
2. Apply knowledge of the immune system to evaluate national and world immunisation programs;
3. Discuss the changing demographics in world population and the increased global burden of disease caused by mental health problems;
4. Compare the methods of transmission of communicable disease using appropriate examples of infections of global importance;
5. Discuss the role of environmental factors in the spread on communicable disease;
6. Discuss newly emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases and the challenges in controlling communicable disease in remote areas of Australia and in developing countries;
7. Explain the biological bases of selected global health problems and possible approaches towards their prevention and control.

• Written examination (2 hours) (45%)
• Mid-semester class test (50 minutes) (15%)
• Online quizzes x 2 (25 minutes each) (10%)
• Oral case presentation x 3 (Group work) (10 minutes each) (30%)

Hurdle: 80% attendance at tutorials.

3 contact hours per week (1 lecture hour and 2 tutorial/workshop hours) PLUS 9 hours of private study hours per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Public health - South Africa